Many people have heard of mentalism, but few know exactly what
is involved. So let's start with a clear definition.
Mentalism is defined as a sub-category within the field of
magic. It has to do with tricks dealing with the mind's power.
Rather than relying heavily on tools or grand illusions, it has
more to do with try to give the impression that the magician can
tap into the minds of audience members, or use his or her own
mind control to cause objects to move, etc.
Some people think that mentalism actually depends on some
spiritual connection between the supernatural realm and the
magician. While there might be a very remote possibility that
some magicians actually do have some insight into the spiritual
world, most illusionists use mentalism tricks and strategies
just like in any other type of magic. Over the next few pages
you'll learn some of them!
For example, remember at the beginning of this course when we
talked about Derren Brown and his ability to make people fall
asleep over the phone? It's not that he actually has the power
to control other people's minds - he just knows tricks to get
people to do what he says.
There is definitely a difference between the two. Derren isn't
dabbling in the occult or anything like that; rather, he's using
human psychology to create intriguing and mystifying illusions!
For many reasons, including the fact that the old "pull a rabbit
out of a hat" type of magic is not as surprising and interesting
as it once was, mentalism is one of the fastest growing and most
popular forms of magic being practiced today. There are many
fabulous and highly talented magicians who specialize in this
form, Derren Brown being just one of them.
A Brief Explanation of Hypnosis
Hypnosis is one very highly popular form of mentalism.
Psychiatrists actually regard hypnosis as an everyday activity
or state that we undergo when we are watching movies, reading
books, or driving down a long empty road. When we are doing
these sorts of activities we enter a trancelike condition in
which we are very vulnerable to the power of suggestion and feel
extremely relaxed.
Some people are mistakenly under the impression that hypnosis is
like being asleep, but it's actually a hyperaware,
hyperattentive state. It's also a state of total consciousness.
You know how when you get engrossed in a book you tune out the
outside world, paying attention only to the story itself? It's
similar to that. You're tuning out extraneous stimuli and
focusing in only on one source, the subject or magician who is
speaking directly to you. Thus you are very likely to do
whatever the magician tells you to do when you're in a hypnotic
state!
This article was extracted from the book 'Discover The Magic
Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know'. To find out more
please visit www.DiscoverMagicTricks
.com
About the author:
Chris Lloyd is the author of "Discover The Magic Trick Secrets
You're Not Supposed To Know". His website can be found at www.DiscoverMagicTricks
.com
